Area History: Warner-Beers' History of Franklin County, PA, 1887 -- Part II: Chapters V & VI Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joyce Moore USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commerical individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites require permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. __________________________________________________ HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA ILLUSTRATED CHICAGO: WARNER, BEERS & CO., 1887 Chicago: JOHN MORRIS COMPANY, PRINTERS 118 and 120 Monroe Street. __________________________________________________ HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY - Part II CHAPTER V. WHISKY WAR Eleven Years of Peace - Causes of the Whisky Insurrection - Its Prosecution and Its Subversion - Sympathy of the Militia, etc. For eleven long years after the close of the Revolution, or until 1794, the country was at peace, save a few unimportant Indian troubles, and as there was no one else to fight convenient to hand, some of the people of Fayette, Allegheny, Westmoreland and Washington Counties, of this State, concluded to get up an insurrection. Open rebellion was, therefore, proclaimed against the Government because of the excise tax on whisky. It was not the amount of tax on the whisky, but the principle and the Government's selection of that favored product of the land that fired the warlike souls of these good people. It was not any especial love of the "craythur" as an article of regular diet that caused these threatenings of internal war, but the fact that at that time pack-horses were the only mode of transportation, and the raw products of the farms could not be carried to the distant markets, except when reduced by distillation into whisky, the people felt that the excise tax was a blow at their industry that free men should not in any way tolerate. Hence, nearly every farmer had his still - often this was put up before he was able to erect his barn. Whisky was made everywhere, and, in a moderate degree, used in nearly every family. The evidence of the public sense on this subject of the use of intoxicants is furnished in a church trial. A preacher was tried for drunkenness; the proof was strong and clear; but the sessions let him off with a gentle reprimand, and returned him to his desk. The next year the same man was put upon trial for whistling on Sunday - conduct "unbecoming a minister, and showing a vacuity of mind." The sessions convicted, deposed him, and sent him from his church in disgrace. The wits of the day said he might "whistle for his back pay." The spirit of insurrection was not wholly confined to the western part of the state - there were many warm sympathizers east of the mountains. General James Chambers, in a letter to A. J. Dallas, from Loudon Forge, September 22, 1794, says: "On the 16th inst. I arrived in Chambersburg, and to my great astonishment I found the Rabble had raised what they called a Liberty pole. Some of the most active of the inhabitants were at that time absent, and, upon the whole, perhaps it was best, as matters has since taken a violent change. When I came here I found the magistrates had opposed the sitting of the pole up, to the utmost of their power, but was not supported by the majority of the Cittyzens. They wished to have the Royators Subject to the Law, and (Mr. Justice John Riddle, John Scott, and Christian Oyster) the magistrates of this place, informed of their zealous wish to have them brought to justice, I advised them to call a meeting of the inhabitants to the town on the next morning, and we would have the matter opened to them and show the necessity of Soporting Government, Contrassed with the destruction of one of the best governments in the world. The meeting was duly convened in the "Coorthouse" and John Riddle made a "very animating address" to the people. Resolutions were drawn pledging them to support the justices in their effirts to bring the "Royaters to Tryal." Genera Chambers then further writes to the governor: I am now happy to have in my power to request you, Sir, to inform his Excellency, the Governour, that these exertions has worked the desired change. The magistrates has sent for the men, the very same that erected the pole, and I had the pleasure of seeing them, on Saturday Evening, Cut it down; and with the same wagon that brought it into town they were oblidgeed to draw the remains of it out of town again. The circumstance was mortifying, and they behaved very well. They seem very penetent, and no person offered them any insult. It has worked such a change, I believe we will be able Shortly to Send our Quota to Carlisle." This letter shows the temper of the people very plainly. It was only the great influence and firm stand by such men as General Chambers that prevented the spirit of insurrection from becoming general all over the state. The people were very loth to respond to President Washington's call for troops to quell the turbulent elements of society. Secretary Dallas, September 10, 1794, says: "According to the information I have from several parts of the country, it appears that the militia are unwilling to march to quell the insurrection. They say that they are ready to march against a foreign enemy, but not against the citizens of their own State." August 7, 1794, President Washington called for 12,950 troops, from Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The New Jersey and Pennsylvania troops assembled at Carlisle. Governor Mifflin, of Pennsylvania, and Governor Richard Howell, of New Jersey, commanded the respective troops of their state. The quota of this state was 5,196 men. The quota of Franklin County was 281 men. It was difficult to fill these quotas, but this county recruited its number and sent them to Carlisle. There they were met by President Washington, and the army reviewed by him. (In his route to the western part of the State, Washington tarried overnight, some say over Sunday, in Chambersburg, October 11, 1794, stopping with William Morrow in a stone hotel on South Main Street. Passing through Greencastle he was the guest of Dr. Robert Johnson.) The Pennsylvania troops were in one division, under command of Major General William Irvine. It was divided into three brigades: the first commanded by General Thomas Proctor, the second by Brigadere General Francis Murray, and the third by Brigadere General James Chambers. In Chambers' brigade were the men from Franklin County. The troops passed through this county, by was of Strasburg, and crossed the mountains, passed through Fort Lyttleton, and reached Pittsburgh in November. This display of force by the Government ended the cruel war, and in ten days after their arrival in Pittsburgh, they started on their return home. They came by way of Greensburg, Ligonier, Bedford, Sideling Hill, Fort Lyttleton, Strasburg, and Shippensburg, to Carlisle, where they were disbanded. Their entire term of service was about one month. CHAPTER VI. FRANKLIN COUNTY ORGANIZED Date of Erection - Petitions in Favor Of and In Opposition To The Project - Fight Over the County Seat - The First Court-House and First Jail - Early County Officers - Estimate of Population - First General Election - Officials, etc. The act of the Assembly creating Franklin County, was passed Sep- tember 9, 1784. The county of Cumberland, the sixth formed in the province of Pennsylvania, was erected in 1750. It embraced "all and singular the lands lying within the said Province to the westward of Susquehanna, and northward and westward of the county of York" (organiz- ed the year previous). It was "bounded northward and westward with the line of the Provience." From this vast area and ample limits were sub- sequently constructed Bedford in 1771; a portion of Northumberland in 1772; Westmoreland from Bedford in 1773; Washington in 1781, and Fayette in 1783 from Westmoreland. Originally comprising two-thirds of the area of Pennsylvania, the county of Cumberland is well deserving the name "Old Mother Cumberland." We first hear of efforts for the formation of the county of Franklin during the closing years of the struggle for independence in petitions therefore in 1780; but remonstrances were poured in upon the Assembly to postpone the subject until the Revolutionary war was over. No sooner was the prospect of peace heightened than renewed efforts were made by the inhabitants of the western parts of the county of Cumberland for a division, representing "the inconveniences and hardships which they suffer by the large extent of the said county, * * * * * the great distance at which the said petitioners dwell from the town of Carlisle, where the courts of justice and the public officers of the same county are held and kept." On the 25th of March, 1782, the peti- tions therefor were ordered by the General Assembly to be referred to MOSES MACLEAN, MR. AGNEW and MR. MACLAY, with directions to bring in a bill. A bill was subsequently reported and passed second reading, but the inhabitants of "New Town" Township petitioning to have Shippensburg included in the new county, while the inhabitants of Lurgan township remonstrated forcibly against a division -- the whole subject was drop- ped until the following Assembly. The next Assembly were not favorable to the new county project, and the matter was referred by them to their successors. The new Assembly had scarcely organized when a petition was received from JOHN CLARK for the appointment of register for the probate of wills for the new county to be erected out of Cumberland. This was COLONEL JOHN CLARK, of the town of York, a brave officer of the Revolu- tion. His application was premature. Numerous petitions for the divi- sion of the county of Cumberland poured in upon the legislative body, with not a few remonstrances against the same. The latter were chiefly from Shippensburg and Lurgan township, a portion of whose inhabitants preferred, since the former place was not considered eligible for the county seat, to remain with the old county. On the 16th of March, 1784, the committee to whom the petitions and remonstrances were referred reported the following: RESOLVED, that a new county be granted and laid out, to begin on the York County line on the South Mountain; thence by a square line to be run from the said beginning to the North or Blue Ridge, leaving Shippensburg to the east of said line; thence from the summit of the said North Mountain by the ridges dividing the waters of Shearman's Valley from the waters of the Path Valley, to the Gap, near the heads of the said Path Valley joining Bedford County; thence by the Bedford County line to the Maryland line; thence by said line to the line of York County; thence by said county line to the place of beginning; to be called ___________ county; and that the said new county town shall be established by law, at the well- known place called Chambers Town, and not elsewhere; and that a committee be appointed to bring in a bill accordingly. On the 18th of March the resolution was read the second time, and MESSRS. RUSH, COLEMAN and MCPHERSON were appointed a committee to bring in a bill. As yet it will be seen no name mentioned in connection with the new county project. The committee appointed were JACOB RUSH, of Philadelphia, subsequently president judge of the courts of that city; ROBERT COLEMAN, of Lancaster, the great iron master, and the head of that family so intimately connected with the iron trade of Pennsylvania, and COLONEL ROBERT McPHERSON, of York County, a brave soldier of the Revolution, and the grandfather of HONORABLE EDWARD MCPHERSON of Gettys- burg; a remarkable committee - gentlemen of culture, and eminent in public affairs. To them must the credit be given of naming the county Franklin for that patriot, sage and philosopher, whose reputation was even then world-wide. It was a deserving honor, and the first in successive ones which, next to the immortal Washington, has given name to more towns and counties than any other in the American Union. On the 25th of March the bill was reported and read the first time. Four days after, it was read the second time and ordered to be printed. Then followed a flood of petitions, for and against not only the divi- sion of the county, but the location of the county seat. For the latter, Greencastle and Shippensburg were anxious to be selected, although the latter was unwilling to be included within the limits of the new county unless it was thus honored. Greencastle contended that it was equally as central as Chambers' Town, and much better situated with reference to the back counties and to Maryland. On the 25th of August, the Assembly took up the bill and debated it at length, which was continued on the 30th. On the 6th of September a clause was adopted to the effect "that the inhabitants of the new county of Franklin should have their full proportion or share of what moneys were raised for Cumberland County uses, after all just demands against said county of Cumberland, before passing this act, are paid." On the 9th of September, 1784, the bill "was enacted, and signed by the speaker," and thus was erected the county of Franklin with Chambers' Town as the seat of justice, "and not elsewhere." The active parties in petitioning the Assembly for the new county and to fix the northern boundary line at Big Spring (now Newville), so as to include all of Hopewell Township in the county to be formed, were JOHN RANNELLS GEORGE MATHEWS JEREMIAH TALBOT JOHN JOHNSON OLIVER BROWN WILLIAM RANNELS JAMES McCAMMONT JAMES CAMPBELL JOSEPH ARMSTRONG JOHN SCOTT THOMAS CAMPBELL JAMES BROTHERTON DR. GEORGE CLINGIN JOHN COLHOUN BENJAMIN CHAMBERS SAMUEL ROYER JOHN HOLLIDAY BENJAMIN CHAMBERS, JR. PAT CAMPBELL JOHN CRAWFORD JOSEPH CHAMBERS PATRICK VANCE JOSIAH CRAWFORD JAMES CHAMBERS NAT McDOWELL EDWARD CRAWFORD WILLIAM CHAMBERS RICHARD BROWNSON JOHN BOGGS and others. During the progress of the struggle to strike off the new county, some of the people of Lurgan Township opposed the measure in toto "be- cause the militia battalion, and the religious societies to which they belonged, would be divided and thrown into different counties, and the social intercourse requisite in these respects would be greatly obstruct- ed," not to mention the burdens that would come of having to erect a new courthouse, etc. They therefore prayed to be left quietly in Cumberland County. The people of Greencastle wanted their town to be the county seat, but Chambers' Town prevailed, and soon all was well, and the new county was thus started upon her long career of prosperity and glory. The act of the Assembly, organizing the county, appointed JAMES MAXWELL, JAMES McCAMMONT, JOSIAH CRAWFORD, DAVID STONER and JOHN JOHN- STON trustees, to procure ground for county buildings. The act also provided for the county commissioners to pay over to the trustees $3,200, to be expended in erecting a court house and jail. September 28, 1774, COLONEL BENJAMIN CHAMBERS, by deed, for the nominal consideration of $26.66 2/3, conveyed to the county the parcel of ground on which the court-house stands, "to be used as a site for a court-house and public buildings and no other," and in the same deed conveyed to the county the lot on the north side of East Market Street, opposite the "Washington House," for a jail. The trustees contracted with CAPTAIN BENJAMIN CHAMBERS to build the court-house, with DAVID and JOSHUA RIDDLE to build the jail. The cost of the court house, which was not entirely finished until 1794, was $4,100. The work on the jail progressed even more slowly, it not being completed until 1797. The old court-house was of brick, two stories high, and about fifty feet square. It stood immediately west of the present building, its eastern wall being about four or five feet distant from the western end of the present court house, and it was occupied by the courts and public offices whilst the new building was being erected. It was then torn down and the portico and steps of the present building were put up on a part of its site. It was well and substantially built, presented a rather pleasing appearance, and was fully sufficient for those early times. The main front faced Market Street, and there was a heavy cornice all around the building. There were a cupola and bell on the building. The spire was surmounted by an iron rod with a large copper ball on it next the top of the spire; then above that a rooster, and above the lat- ter a smaller ball. The main entrance was on the southern front, but it was not used for many years. A door in the western end, near the south- ern corner, was the usual place of entrance. Opposite this last door was another door in the eastern end, opening into the yard. The court hall occupied all the lower floor. Along its southern side was a tier of seats for spectators, some three or four in number, rising high up on the wall. These were put in after the building was completed, and they crossed over and closed up the main door in the south side of the room. Between these seats and the bar (which occupied nearly one half of the floor) there was a space of about ten feet in width, paved with red brick. The bar was raised some two or three feet above this pavement, and the judge's seat, which was on the north side of the room was some two or three steps above the bar. The traverse jury box was on the east side of the bar, and the grand jury box on the west side, adjoining the stairs leading to the second story, in which there was a grand jury room and two traverse jury rooms. The floor of the court-room was paved with brick. It was warmed by two ten-plate stoves, into which full length cordwood could be put. In one corner stood an old hydrant, the solitary visible memorial of the old water-works. The old court-house was torn down in 1842, and a new one erected at a cost of $45,545. The contractors were PHILIP MITERHOUSE, carpenter, and SILAS HAVY, mason. This building was totally destroyed by the rebels in 1864, and the next year the work on the new and present elegant build ing was commenced. It was completed at a cost of $52,683.25. The old jail was of stone, two stories high, about 40x60 feet in size, and stood on the northeast corner of Second and Market Streets, where JUDGE ROWE's residence now stands. It was often crowded with poor debtors in those early days, men who were so unfortunate as to be in debt and had neither goods nor money with which to pay their liabilities. To honest men it was a fearful place; but rogues laughed at its nail-studded doors, iron bars, and thick but poorly-constructed walls. Between the date of the formation of the county, in 1784, and the completion of the old stone jail in 1798, persons charged with the commission of grave offenses were kept in the jail at Carlisle. The country accounts for those years contained many items for the expenses of taking prisoners to Carlisle, keeping them there and bringing them here for trial. Persons charged with offenses of a minor grade were kept in a temporary prison, and there are also numerous charges for "repairs" to that prison -- for "iron for bars," for "leg bolts, manacles, etc." and for the pay of those who acted as "guards" at the prison. Tradition says that this prison was an old log house on the lot now the property of LEVI D. HUMMELSINE, on the west side of South Main Street. That it was some such insecure place is evidenced by the expenditures made upon it above referred to, and also from the fact that, in 1785, the commissioners of the county paid SAMUEL McCLELLAND 3 pounds 5s 6d for "underpinning the prison." There were no brick buildings here in 1785, and only three stone ones, viz: Chambers' Fort, JOHN JACK's tavern and NICHOLAS SNIDER's blacksmith shop. All the rest were of logs, small and inconvenient, and it must have been one of the worst of these that was used as a prison, as only such a one could have needed "underpinning," and require bars, leg bolts, manacles and guards to keep its inmates safely. The first jailor was OWEN ASTON, who lived in a small house east of the prison. In 1818 the New jail was erected to supply a long-felt want. This is the present jail building. COUNTY OFFICERS.--From 1784 to 1809 EDWARD CRAWFORD was, by appointment, prothonotary, register, recorder and clerk of the court. He had erected a building for an office on East Market Street--the site now occupied by the law office of Kennedy & Stewart. The old county officers were not completed until October, 1806. This building stood about twenty feet east of the old court-house, facing Market Street; cost, $2,500. It was of brick, two stories, 40x25 feet. The prothonotary's and clerk's offices were in the west end, the register's and recorder's in the east end, a division hall in the center. In the rear of each office was a narrow vault for the records. On the second story were the offices of the county commissioners, county treasurer, deputy surveyor, etc. This building was torn down when the new court-house was commenced in 1842. The act erecting the county provided that the court of common pleas and quarter sessions should be held four times a year, and that the quarter sessions should sit "three days each term, and no more." EDWARD CRAWFORD was in Philadelphia when the act was passed creating the county, and was the same day appointed and sworn in as prothonotary, etc. The following papers are the first of their kind found in the records of Franklin County after its erection, September 9, 1784. The books from which they were taken were opened by the skilled and long- continued officer whose modest preface to Deed-book A was as follows: "Franklin County erected by Act of Assembly passed 9th September, 1784, and this Record Book A begun in pursuance thereof. EDWARD CRAWFORD." FIRST DEED RECORDED. 1. Date of Instrument: April 18, 1782 2. Parties: ROBERT DIXSON, Hamilton Township, Cumberland Co., PA., to WILLIAM DIXSON, his son, same twp. 3. Property: 276 acres and 64 perches, and usual allowances in Hamilton Township. 4. Consideration 15 pounds specie, as well as natural love and affection. 5. Witnesses: ROBERT BOYD and JOHN DICKSON 6. Acknowledged before JNO. RANNELLS, Justice of Cumberland Co. 7. Recorded 13 day of December, 1784. FIRST MORTGAGE RECORDED. 1. Date: April 20, 1784. 2. Parties: JACOB ZIEGLER, Carpenter of Guilford Township, Cumberland Co., to JACOB SCHMIESSER and PETER MENGES of York County. 3. Property: Lot 246 and buildings thereon, in town of Chambersburg. 4. Consideration: 17 pounds, 7s 10d. 5. Witnesses: PHILIP ZIEGLER and GEORGE PHILIP ZIEGLER 6. Recorded October 11, 1784 FIRST RECORDED WILL. IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN.--I, HANSE MICHAEL MILLAR of Antrim Township, County of Franklin and State of Pennsylvania being weak in body but of sound Memory (Blessed be God) do make and Publish this my last Will and Testament in Manner following that is to say, all my Just Debt & Funeral Expenses, be paid by my Executors hereafter mentioned. First I give and Bequeath unto my Beloved Wife ELIZABETH the sum of two hundred Pounds of good and lawfull money of Pennsylvania specie all my household Furniture one Bay Mare and two Cows which she shall Choose. In case my wife ELIZABETH should marry the above sum of Two hundred pounds to be Equally Divided among my sons and daughters. Secondly I give and Bequeath to my son Daniel that Plantation he lives on lying and Being in Frederick County Maryland Two hundred and thirteen acres to him his Heirs and assign forever, he paying the sum of four Hundred Pounds good and law- full money of Pennsylvania specie in five years after my Decease to my executors. Thirdly I give and Bequeath unto my daughter REBECCA RENCE Two hundred Pounds good and lawful money of Pennsylvania specie to be paid in one year after my Decease. Fourthly I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter HANNA CIGAR the one-half of the Plantation she now lives on it being upon New Creek which emptys into the North Branch of Potomack in Virginia under the Allygany Mountains in Hampshire County. Fifthly I give and Bequeath unto CHRISTIAN BAKER The sum of forty Pounds in one year after my Decease, and also one Hundred and Sixty Pounds specie which PETER BAKER stands due to me at this time. Sixthly I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter MARYANN STONER the sum of two Hundred and Ten Pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania specie in one year after my Decease. Seventhly I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter SUSANNA STOVER the sum of two Hundred and Ten Pounds good and lawfull money of Pennsylvania specie to be paid in one year after my decease. Eightly I give and Be- queath unto my son JOHN the Farm and Plantation it being in Antrim Town- ship Franklin County, which I now live on. Also a Negro Boy named Charles one sorrell mare and Colt and all my farming utensils. Ninthly I give and Bequeath unto my son Michael the one-half of the Plantation that JOHN CIGAR lives on to him and his heirs and assigns, to be divided equally between my Daughter HANNA CIGAR and my son MICHAEL at the Discretion of my executors. All my movable stock that is not Bequeathed I give unto my son JOHN, also any sum or sums of Money that should remain as over-plush after the Discharging of the Bequeathments to be equally divided amongst my sons and Daughters. My son JOHN and my son in law ABRAHAM STONER to be my whole and sole executors of my last Will and Testament, in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-eighth Day of September, one thousand seven hundred and eighty- four 1784. Signed Sealed in the Presence of his ELIAS DAVISON HANS MICHAEL X MILLAR mark HENRY PAWLING her ELIZABETH X MILLAR mark EDWARD CRAWFORD was also commissioned justice of the county, September 15, 1784. Six days after the county was formed, the first county court convened, the justices being HUMPHREY FULLERTON and THOMAS JOHNSTON, for Antrim Township, and JAMES FINLEY, of Letterkenny Township --all of them formerly justices of Cumberland County. There were no jurors summoned to this first court, no causes for trial, and the strong inference is, no lawyers were present, except JOHN CLARK, of the York bar, who appeared to plead guilty to the crime of matrimony, and by the court was married to MISS BITTINGER, daughter of NICHOLAS BITTINGER, of Mont Alto Furnace. He appeared in court, and upon his own request, was admitted to the bar, the first attorney so admitted in the county. The second session of the county court convened Thursday, December 2, 1784, in the second story of JOHN JACK's stone tavern, which stood where MILLER's drug store now is. This building was burnt in 1864. The judges present were WILLIAM McDOWELL, of Peters; HUMPHREY FULLERTON, of Antrim; JAMES FINLEY, of Letterkenny. CRAWFORD was clerk. TALBOT was sheriff. The grand jurors were JAMES POE, HENRY PAWLING, WILLIAM ALLISON, WILLIAM McDOWELL, ROBERT WILKINS, JOHN McCONNELL, JOHN McCARNEY, JOHN RAY, JOHN JACK, JR., JOHN DICKSON, D. McCLINTOCK, JOSEPH CHAMBERS and JOSEPH LONG. The courts were held up stairs, and tradition says the crowd was so great as to strain the joists of the floor, causing great alarm to the court and bar, and others in the house. that the courts were held in JOHN JACK's house for several years, while the court-house was being built, and up until 1789, inclusive, is conclusively shown by the follow- ing extracts from the county expenditures, found in the annual accounts of the commissioners for the years named, viz: 1785 - By an order to JOHN JACK for the use of his house to hold courts in, etc....................12£.7s.6d. 1789 - By a draw given to MARGARET JACK (John's widow), for the use of house to hold courts in.......... 9£. 1790 - Order to MRS. JACK for fire wood and candles for the court................................... 4£.4s.5d. A change was then made, for in... 1790 - An Order was issued to WALTER BEATTY for preparing a place for court...............................15£.6s. This place was no doubt some temporary selection. WALTER BEATTY was the sub-contractor, under BENJAMIN CHAMBERS, for the building of the court-house. The court-house and the old stone jail were then being built. The latter must have been gotten under roof at least in 1791, for that year the commissioners paid WALTER BEATTY "for preparing for the court to sit in the prison, 15£ 19s." In 1793 the commissioners, by order of the court, paid WALTER BEATTY 10£ 10s. "for detaining his hands from work on the court-house." The judges took possession and occupied the court-house for county purposes before it was finished, and ordered MR. BEATTY to be paid for the lost time of his hands, as aforesaid. County courts, as thus constituted, continued to administer justice until the adoption of the constitution of 1790. That instrument went into force, for most purposes, on the 2d of September, 1790, but the third section of the schedule to it extended the commissions of the justices of the peace and judges then in office until the first day of September, 1791. JUSTICES WHO WERE JUDGES The following list gives the names of the justices of the peace who were judges of the county courts for this county, from the 9th of September, 1784, to the 2d of September, 1791, with the townships they were appointed from and the dates of their respec- tive commissions, which ran for seven years: WILLIAM McDOWELL.........Peters............November 13, 1778 HUMPHREY FULLERTON.......Antrim............April 18, 1782 THOMAS JOHNSTON..........Antrim............April 18, 1782 JAMES FINLEY.............Letterkenny.......March 1, 1783 EDWARD CRAWFORD, JR......Chambersburg......September 11, 1784 JAMES CHAMBERS...........Peters............September 17, 1784 GEORGE MATTHEWS..........Hamilton..........February 4, 1785 JOHN RANNELS.............Guilford..........March 1, 1785 NOAH ABRAHAM.............Fannett...........October 31, 1785 JOHN McCLAY..............Lurgan............November 2, 1785 RICHARD BARD.............Peters............March 15, 1786 SAMUEL ROYER.............Washington........March 27, 1786 JOHN SCOTT...............Chambersburg......August 4, 1786 JOHN BOGGS...............Chambersburg......August 4, 1786 JAMES MAXWELL*...........Montgomery........August 26, 1786 JOHN HARRING.............Southampton.......November 1, 1786 JOHN ANDREW..............Guilford..........April 16, 1787 JOHN MARTIN..............Chambersburg......December 8, 1787 JAMES MAXWELL............Montgomery........September 17, 1788 WILLIAM HENDERSON........Greencastle.......September 25, 1788 JAMES M'CLAMONT..........Letterkenny.......September 23, 1789 CHRISTIAN OYSTER.........Chambersburg......July 16, 1790 THOMAS JOHNSON...........Antrim............September 29, 1790 (*Commissioned president of the courts) The population in the new county can only be arrived at ap- proximately. In 1786 the records show there were taxables in the county, 2,291, divided among the townships as follows: ____________ ___________ _______________ _______ _____ Townships Freeholders Non-Freeholders Freemen Total ____________ ___________ _______________ _______ _____ Antrim......... 195 .... 83 .... 53 .... 331 Franklin....... 99 .... 8 .... 54 .... 161 Fannett........ 119 .... 55 .... 34 .... 208 Guilford....... 102 .... 38 .... 30 .... 170 Hamilton....... 145 .... 53 .... 39 .... 237 Letterkenny.... 159 .... 47 .... 39 .... 245 Lurgan......... 57 .... 24 .... 21 .... 102 Montgomery..... 136 .... 55 .... 29 .... 220 Peters......... 108 .... 72 .... 37 .... 217 Southampton.... 86 .... 27 .... 27 .... 140 Washington..... 151 .... 60 .... 49 .... 260 _______ _____ _____ ______ TOTALS 1,357 522 412 2,291 From this can be estimated the total population at about 13,000 at the time the county was formed. By the census of 1790, the first taken of the county, the population was 15,655; in 1800, 19,638; 1810, 23,173; 1820, 31,892; 1830, 35,037; 1840, 37,793; 1850, 37,956; 1860, 42,121; 1870, 45,365; 1880, 49,855. The first general election in the county was held October 12, 1784, in Chambersburg, that being the only polling place in the county. The county was entitled to elect one member of the Sup- reme Executive Council, and three representatives in the Legis- lature. JAMES McLENE was elected councilor, to serve three years; JAMES JOHNSTON, ABRAHAM SMITH and JAMES McCALMONT were elected representatives; JEREMIAH TALBOT, sheriff; JOHN REA, coroner; JAMES POE, JOHN WORK, JOHN BEARD, county commissioners. As some index of the number of votes the new county was able to poll, it may be stated that the vote on county commissioners was as follows JAMES POE, 822; JOHN WORK, 421; JOHN BEARD, 339. By act of the Assembly, September 13, 1785, the county was divided into two election districts; the first district, composed of the townships of Antrim, Peters, Guilford, Lurgan, Hamilton, Letterkenny, Franklin (Chambersburg), Washington, Southampton and Montgomery, to vote at the court-house, in Chambersburg; the second district was Fannett Township, to vote at the house of WIDOW ELLIOTT. In 1787 the county was divided into four election districts: the First to be composed of the townships of Guilford, Franklin, Hamilton, Letterkenny, Lurgan and Southampton, to vote at the court-house, in Chambersburg; the Second District, Fannet Township to vote at WIDOW ELLIOTS; the Third District, composed of Antrim and Washington Townships, to vote at the house of GEORGE CLARK, in Greencastle; the Fourth District, Peters and Montgomery Townships, to vote at JAMES CRAWFORD's in Mercersburg. The first tax collected in the county was for the year 1785, and by townships is as follows: Districts Collectors State Tax County Tax ___________ _________________ ______________ _____________ Antrim Samuel McCullock 365£ 5s 7d 57£ 1s 4d Franklin William Shanon 69 1 7 11 19 11 Fannett Nathaniel Paul 179 4 8 30 19 10 Guilford Peter Fry 223 6 9 30 19 10 Hamilton William Dickson 207 7 10 35 7 8 Letterkenny George Stinger 320 11 7 54 18 9 Lurgan Gavin Morrow 298 0 5 50 16 4 Montgomery Thomas Kennedy 312 6 5 51 7 4 Peters Hugh McKee 272 10 1 44 10 0 Washington Frederick Foreman 262 16 11 44 15 2 ____________ _________________ ______________ _____________ 2,510 11 10 418 4 6 Being, for State purposes...............................$6,694.91 For County purposes..................................... 1,115.27 PROTHONOTARIES 1784-1809 Edward Crawford, Jr. 1854-1857 Abraham K. Wier 1809-1821 John Findlay 1857-1860 Hiram C. Keyser 1821-1824 John Shryock 1860-1863 Abram C. Kaufman 1824-1830 John Hershberger 1863-1866 K. S. Taylor 1830-1836 John Flanagan 1866-1869 William H. McDowell 1836-1839 Joseph Minnich 1869-1872 George W. Welch 1839-1845 Mathias Nead 1872-1879 John A. Hyssong 1845-1848 Thomas P. Bard 1879-1882 John M. McDowell 1848-1851 James Wright 1882-1885 James Sweney 1851-1854 Isaac H. McCauley 1885 -- M. R. Brown REGISTERS AND RECORDERS 1784-1809 Edward Crawford 1818-1821 Peter Spyker Dechert 1809-1818 John Findlay 1821-1824 Joseph Culbertson REGISTER AND RECORDER AND CLERK OF ORPHANS' COURT 1824-1830 John Findlay, Jr. REGISTERS AND RECORDERS 1830-1836 Paul I. Hetich 1857-1860 George W. Toms. 1836-1839 Joseph Pritts 1860-1863 Edward C. Boyd 1839-1842 Henry Ruby 1863-1869 Henry Strickler 1842-1845 John W. Reges 1869-1872 Hiram T. Snyder 1845-1848 James Watson 1872-1879 Adolphus A. Skinner 1848-1851 Benjamin Mentzer 1879-1882 John S. Sollenberger 1851-1854 David Oaks 1882-1885 C. H. Fulweiler 1854-1857 George H. Merklein 1885 -- Frederick T. Snyder CLERK OF THE COURT OF QUARTER SESSIONS, OYER AND TERMINER AND ORPHANS' COURT 1784-1809 Edward Crawford 1809-1821 John Findlay 1821-1824 John Shryock CLERK OF QUARTER SESSIONS AND OYER AND TERMINER 1824-1830 John Hershberger CLERK OF QUARTER SESSIONS, OYER AND TERMINER AND ORPHANS' COURT 1830-1836 Richard Morrow 1860-1866 William G. Mitchell 1836-1839 Joseph Morrow 1866-1869 Thaddeus M. Mahon 1839-1845 John Wood 1869-1872 Bernard A. Cormany 1845-1848 JOhn M. Fisher 1872-1875 Lewis W. Detrich 1848-1851 Josiah W. Fletcher 1875-1879 W. Rush Gillan 1851-1857 Henry S. Stoner 1879-1885 Van T. Haulman 1857-1860 B. Y. Hamsher 1885 -- J. A. Benedict SHERIFFS 1784-1787 Jeremiah Talbot 1835-1838 James Burns 1787-1790 John Johnston 1838-1841 George Hoffman 1790-1793 Henry Work 1841-1844 William Gilmore 1793-1796 Robert Shannon 1844-1847 Adam McKinnie 1796-1799 George Hetich 1847-1850 John W. Taylor 1799-1802 John Hetich 1850-1853 Thomas J. Earley 1802-1805 John Brotherton 1853-1856 William Skinner 1805-1808 Jacob Snider 1856-1859 Jacob S. Brown 1808-1811 Jacob Merkle 1859-1862 William McGrath 1811-1814 William Alexander 1862-1865 Samuel Brandt 1814-1817 Thomas Alexander 1865-1869 John Doebler 1817-1820 Jeremiah Snider 1868-1871 J. W. Fletcher 1820-1823 John McClay 1871-1875 S. F. Greenawalt 1823 (June-Nov.) David Washabaugh 1875-1878 John Sweeney 1823-1826 Archibald Fleming 1878-1881 Michael Gable 1826-1829 Joseph Culbertson 1881-1884 W. C. Skinner 1829-1832 David Washabaugh 1884-1887 Luther B. Kurtz 1832-1835 Ennion Elliott 1887 -- Jacob S. Mowery CORONERS (Years named indicate date of appointment) 1784 John Rea 1785 John Johnston 1815 William Young 1786 Conrad Snider 1817 Thomas McKinstry 1787 Conrad Snider 1820 William Young 1788 George Clark 1824 David Washabaugh 1789 George Clark 1827 James Burns 1790 George Clark 1829 Allen K. Campbell 1793 Matthew Duncan 1832 John Tritle 1796 Archibald Rankin 1835 James McDowell 1801 Archibald Rankin 1838 William Slyder 1805 James Campbell 1841 Alexander Hamilton 1809 Andrew Robeson 1844 John M. McDowell 1812 Robert Liggett 1848 James Burns For a long period coroners refused to qualify, their work being performed by justices of the peace in their several townships. No records of the coroners therefore appear. 1864 Victor D. Miller 1882 George S. Hull 1867 Victor D. Miller 1885 Geo. S. Hull 1879 Robert W. Ramsey (Present incumbent) COUNTY TREASURERS County treasurers were appointed by the county commissioners until the act of May 27, 1841, provided for their election, in October of that year, to hold office for two years from the first Monday in January after their election. The following is a list of the names of those persons who have been treasurers of this county, with their years of service: 1785-1790 Dr. George Clingan 1839-1842 Henry Smith 1790-1793 Matthew Wilson 1842-1844 Joseph Pritts 1793-1796 John Riddle 1844-1846 George K. Harper 1796-1806 Patrick Campbell 1846-1848 George Garlin 1806-1809 David Denny 1848-1850 William McLellan 1809-1812 Jacob Heyser 1850-1852 Lewis Denig* 1812-1814 Henry Reges 1852-1854 Washington Crooks 1814-1817 John Hershberger 1854-1856 Daniel K. Wunderlich 1817-1820 Jacob Heyser 1856-1858 J. Smith Grier 1820-1823 William Heyser 1858-1860 William D. McKinstry 1823-1824 Samuel G. Calhoun 1860-1862 John Stouffer 1824-1825 Dr. John Sloan 1862-1864 George J. Balsley 1825-1827 Hugh Greenfield 1864-1866 James G. Elder 1827 William Hamilton 1866-1868 John Hassler 1827-1830 Daniel Spangler 1868-1870 George W. Skinner 1830-1832 Joseph Pritts 1870-1872 William Reber 1832 Henry Smith 1872-1874 Samuel Knisley 1833-1836 Jasper E. Brady 1874-1876 Hiram M. White 1836-1839 George Garlin, Jr. *Jeremiah Snider was elected treasurer in October, 1849, but not being able to give the bond required by law, he resigned January 7, 1850, and the county commissioners that day appointed LEWIS DENIG to fill the vacancy. FOR THREE YEARS UNDER NEW CONSTITUTION 1876-1879 Elias K. Lehman 1882-1885 W. H. H. Mackey 1879-1882 John L. Grier 1885-1888 Jacob N. Flinder COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 1785 James Poe, John Work, John Beard 1786 John Work, James Poe, John Beard 1787 John Beard, James Poe, John Work 1788 Robert Boyd, James McConnell, William Allison 1789 James McConnell, William Allison, Josiah Crawford 1790 William Allison, Josiah Crawford, Matthew Wilson 1791 Matthew Wilson, James Poe, Daniel Royer 1792 Matthew Wilson, James Poe, John Work 1793 James Poe, Daniel Royer, James Chambers 1794 Daniel Royer, James Chambers, George Hetich 1795 James Chambers, George Hetich, Henry Work 1796 George Hetich, Henry Work, William Scott 1797 Henry Work, William Scott, William Allison 1798 William Scott, William Allison, James Irvin 1799 William Allison, James Irvin, JOhn Holliday 1800 James Irvin, John Holliday, Nathan McDowell 1801 John Holliday, Robert McDowell, David Maclay 1802 Robert McDowell, David Maclay 1803 Robert McDowell, David Maclay, William Rankin 1804 Robert McDowell, David Maclay, Archibald Rankin, Jacob Heyser 1805 William McClay, Archibald Rankin, Jacob Heyser 1806 William McClay, Jacob Heyser, Patrick Campbell 1807 Jacob Heyser, Patrick Campbell, John Royer 1808 Patrick Campbell, James Smith, Jacob Dechert 1809 Jacob Dechert, John Rothbaust, Robert Crooks 1810-1811 John Rothbaust, Robert Crooks, William Alexander 1812-1813 David Rankin, John Cox, Ludwig Heck 1814 John Cox, Ludwig Heck, Isaac Eaton 1815 Ludwig Heck, James McDowell, John M. Maclay 1816 James McDowell, John M. Maclay, William Bleakney 1817 John M. Maclay, William Bleakney, Philip Berlin 1818 William Bleakney, Philip Berlin, William Rippey, Jr. 1819 Philip Berlin, William Rippey, Jr., David Besore 1820 William Rippey, Jr., David Besore, Frederick Miller 1821 Frederick Miller, David Besore, Andrew Thomson 1822 David Besore, Frederick Miller, Andrew Thomson 1823 Andrew Thomson, James Walker, Jacob Wunderlich 1824 Jacob Wunderlich, Philip Laufman, Benjamin Keyser 1825 Jacob Wunderlich, Philip Laufman, Benjamin Keyser 1826 Philip Laufman, Benjamin Keyser, William Heyser 1827 William Heyser, Benjamin Keyser, John Walker 1828 William Heyser, John Walker, Daniel Shaffer 1829 John Walker, Daniel Shaffer, John Radebaugh 1830 Daniel Shaffer, John Radebaugh, John Walker 1831 Daniel Shaffer, John Radebaugh, Jacob Walter 11832 John Radebaugh, Jacob Walter, Samuel Dunn 1833 Samuel Dunn, Joseph Culbertson, John Cox 1834 Joseph Culberston, John Cox, Tobias Funk 1835 John Cox, Tobias Funk, George Hoffman 1836 Tobias Funk, George Hoffman, George Johnston 1837 George Hoffman, John Johnston, John Johnston (of George). 1838 John Johnston, John Johnston (of George), George Hoffman 1839-1840 John Johnston (of George), D. Washabaugh, Emanuel Hade 1841 D. Washabaugh, Emanuel Hade, William Seibert 1842 Emmanuel Hade, William Seibert, Garland Anderson 1843 William Seibert, G. Anderson, James Burns 1844 G. Anderson, James Burns, Jacob Oyster 1845 James Burns, Jacob Oyster, Thomas Pumroy 1846 Jacob Oyster, Thomas Pumroy, James Davison 1847 Thomas Pumroy, James Davison, George A. Madeira 1848 James Davison, George A. Madeira, Dewalt Keefer 1849 G. A. Madeira, Dewalt Keefer, John A. Shank 1850 D. Keefer, John A. Shank, George S. Eyster 1851 John A. Shank, George S. Eyster, James Lowe 1852 George S. Eyster, James Lowe, John Alexander 1853 James Lowe, JOhn Alexander, John Huber 1854 John Alexander, John Huber, Jos. Johnston 1855 John Huber, Jos. Johnston, Robert McIlvaney 1856 Jos. Johnston, Robert McIlvaney, Samuel Myers 1857 Robert McIlvaney, Samuel Myers, D. M. Leisher 1858 Samuel Myers, D. M. Leisher, John S. Nimmon 1859 D. M. Leisher, JOhn S. Nimmon, J. A. Eyster 1860 J. S. Nimmon, J. A. Eyster, Jacob S. Good 1861 J. A. Eyster, Jacob S. Good, James D. Scott 1862 Jacob S. Good, James D. Scott, John Nitterhouse 1863 James D. Scott, John Nitterhouse, John Downey 1864 John Nitterhouse, John Downey, Henry Good 1865 John Downey, Henry Good, John Armstrong 1866 Henry Good, JOhn Armstrong, Daniel Skinner 1867 John Armstrong, Daniel Skinner, Jonas C. Palmer 1868 Daniel Skinner, J. C. Palmer, William Shinafield 1869 J. C. Palmer, William Shinafield, E. K. Lehman 1870 William Shinafield, E. K. Lehman, J. B. Brumbaugh 1871 E. K. Lehman, J. B. Brumbaugh, S. M. Worley 1872 J. B. Brumbaugh, S. M. Worley, R. J. Boyd 1873 S. M. Worley, R. J. Boyd, Jacob Kauffman 1874 R. J. Boyd, Jacob Kauffman, W. D Guthrie 1875 Jacob Kauffman, W. D. Guthrie, Samuel Coble 1876-1879 Daniel Gelwix, James Patton, J. Watson Craig 1879-1882 Wm. S. Reed, John Kyner, Frank Creamer 1882-1885 Daniel Potter, Henry Omwake, Martin Miller 1885-1888 Jacob Middour, Jacob S. Snively, John Waidlich ====================================================================== CLERKS TO COMMISSIONERS 1784-1788 Unknown 1843----- James R. Kirby 1788----- Robert Boyd 1844-1846 I. H. McCauley 1789-1796 Unknown 1846-1850 A. H. McCulloh 1796-1799 James Parks 1850-1853 John M. Fisher 1799----- William Scott 1853-1856 Thomas L. Fletcher 1800----- William Orbison 1856----- Jacob Sellers 1801-1804 William Ward, Jr. 1857----- William Gelwicks 1804-1806 Thomas G. McCulloh 1858----- Jacob Sellers 1806----- J. M. Russell 1859----- Samuel Longenecker 1807----- E. B. Mendenhall 1860-1871 George Foreman 1808-1811 Henry Reges 1871----- H. C. Koontz 1811-1815 William M. McDowell 1872----- H. C. Keyser 1815-1818 Peter S. Deckhert 1873-1875 H. S. Shade 1818-1827 Daniel Spangler 1875----- H. C. Keyser 1827----- Hiram Cox 1876----- Thomas M. Nelson 1828-1836 John Colhoun 1876-1877 T. M. Nelson 1836-1842 Richard Morrow 1880----- E. G. Etter 1842----- Henry Smith 1886----- D. S. Hager ====================================================================== PARTIAL LIST OF COUNTY AUDITORS 1785-1788 Unknown 1788----- James Johnston, Benjamin Chambers, James Irwin 1789-1793 Unknown 1793-1794 Benjamin Chambers, James Irwin, John Rea 1794-1798 Unknown 1798-1800 James Ramsey, John Brown 1800-1801 John Brown, James Buchanan 1802----- James Buchanan, Nicholas Clopper 1803----- Nicholas Clopper, George Hetich 1804----- George Hetich, William Scott 1805----- Nicholas Clopper, George Hetich 1806----- William Scott, Robert Smith, Thomas Brown 1807----- Robert Smith, Thomas Brown, John Gilmor 1808----- Thomas Brown, John Gilmor, John Holliday 1809----- John Gilmor, John Holliday, David Rankin 1810----- D. Fullerton, David Maclay, Henry Thompson 1811----- Henry Thompson, David Fullerton, David Mclay 1812----- Henry Thompson, Robert Robison, Joseph Scott 1813----- Robert Robison, Joseph Scott 1814----- Patrick Campbell, David Eby, William Scott 1815----- David Eby, Andrew Robison, William Alexander 1816----- William Alexander, Sr., Andrew Robison, John Walker 1817----- John Walker, John Culbertson 1818----- John Walker, John Culbertson, James McCoy 1819----- John Culbertson, James McCoy, John Flanagan 1820----- James McCoy, John Flanagan, Thomas McClelland 1821----- John Flanagan, George Hetich 1822----- Thomas McClelland, George Hetich, Thomas Waddell 1823----- George Hetich, Joseph Grubb 1824----- Thomas Waddell, Joseph Grubb, William Gamble 1825----- Joseph Grubb, William Gamble, Thomas Carson 1826----- William Gamble, Thomas Carson, John Walker 1827----- Thomas Carson, John Walker, Isaac Ward 1828----- John Walker, Jacob Negley, John Findlay, Sr. 1829----- Isaac Ward, Jacob Negley, John Findlay, Sr. 1830----- Jacob Negley, Archibald S. McCune 1831----- Archibald S. McCune, J. Allison 1832----- J. Allison, James Colhoun 1833----- Jacob Heyser, Joseph Pumroy 1834----- Jacob Heyser, Joseph Pumroy, John McClintock 1835----- Joseph Pumroy, John McClintock, John Witherow 1836----- John McClintock, John Witherow, Jacob Negley 1837----- John Witherow, Jacob Negley 1838----- Jacob Negley, William Fleming, David Lytle 1839----- William Fleming, David Lytle, John Orr 1840----- David Lytle, John Orr, J. B. Guthrie 1841----- John Orr, J. B. Guthrie, John Deardorff 1842----- J. B. Guthrie, John D. Work, John Deardorff 1843----- John Deardorff, John D. Work, Robert Wallace 1844----- Samuel Lehman, Robert Wallace, John Tritle 1845----- Robert Wallace, John Tritle 1846----- John Tritle, John Johnston, Abram Stouffer 1847----- John Johnston, Abram Stouffer, Joseph Snively 1848----- Abram Stouffer, Joseph Snively, Thomas Carson 1849----- Joseph Snively, Thomas Carson, B. A. Doyle 1850----- Thomas Carson, B. A. Doyle, George W. Zeigler 1851----- B. A. Doyle, George W. Zeigler, James L. Black 1852----- George W. Zeigler, James L. Black, William A. Shields 1853----- William A. Shields, William Armstrong, David Spencer 1854----- William Armstrong, David Spencer, W. S. Amberson 1855----- D. Spencer, W. S. Amberson, John Bowman 1856----- W. S. Amberson, John Bowman, C. W. Burkholder 1857----- John Bowman, C. W. Burkholder, D. H. McPherson 1858----- C. W. Burkholder, D. H. McPherson, William Fleagle 1859----- D. H. McPherson, William Fleagle, J. R. Brewster 1860----- William Fleagle, Andrew Davison, John Downey 1861----- John Downey, Andrew Davison, George Jarrett 1862----- JOhn Downey, George Jarrett, D. K. Wunderlich 1863----- George Jarrett, D. K. Wunderlich 1864----- D. K. Wunderlich, D. B. Martin, W. S. Amberson 1865----- D. B. Martin, W. S. Amberson, M. Martin 1866----- W. S. Amberson, D. B. Martin, Samuel W. Nevin 1867----- M. Martin, Samuel W. Nevin, Samuel Myers 1868-1869 Samuel W. Nevin, Samuel Myers, Joseph Mowers 1870----- Samuel Myers, Joseph Mowers, J. W. Winger 1871----- Joseph Mowers, J. W. Winger, John C. Tritle 1872----- J. W. Winger, John C. Tritle, John A. Sellers 1873----- John A. Sellers, John Cressler, Samuel Taylor 1874----- John A. Sellers, JOhn Cressler, H. R. Harnish 1875----- J. Cressler, H. R. Harnish, Samuel Taylor 1876----- Samuel Taylor, W. H. Blair, William M. Gillan 1876-1879 Samuel Taylor, W. H. Blair, William M. Gillan 1879-1882 Simon Lecron, James W. Duffield, William Frye 1882-1885 Aaron F. Snoke, D. C. Clark, Lemuel Snively 1885-1888 Samuel S. Reisher, John Pensinger, George W. Johnston ====================================================================== POOR-HOUSE The Act of Assembly for the erection of the "House for the em- ployment and support of the poor" of the county was approved by the governor, March 11, 1807. The second section of the act provided that at the election to be held in October, 1807, five persons should be elected "to determine upon and fix the place on which the buildings should be erected," and also that there should be elected "three per- sons to be directors of the poor," one to serve for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, their terms to be determined by lot. WILLIAM ALLISON, DAVID FULLERTON, JOHN COLHOUN, COLONEL JOSEPH CULBERTSON and JOHN MACLAY were elected the commissioners to fix the site for the poor-house and ROBERT LIGGETT, JAMES ROBINSON and LUDWIG HECK were elected directors of the poor. The commissioners selected the farm of THOMAS LINDSAY (the site of the present poor-house) as the place where the poor-house should be erected, and in the year 1808 the directors purchased it for the sum of $8,200. The farm then contained 165 acres, and had a stone farm house, barn, etc., upon it. This house was somewhat enlarged, and used until the year 1811, when the large stone building, now standing, was put up. In the years 1853-1854, the large brick house was erected at a cost of about $12,000. The farm now contains about 210 acres. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The following lists contain the names of the directors of the poor-house, its stewards, treasurers, attorneys, clerks and physicians, from the year 1807 to the present time, so far as they could be ascertained: DIRECTORS OF POOR-HOUSE 1808----- James Robison, Robert Liggett, Ludwig Heck 1809----- Robert Liggett, Ludwig Heck, Henry Etter 1810----- Ludwig Heck, Henry Etter, Isaac Eaton 1811----- Henry Etter, Isaac Eaton, Samuel Radebaugh 1812----- Isaac Eaton, Samuel Radebaugh 1814----- ___________, Matthew Lind, John Vance 1815----- Matthew Lind, JOhn Vance, Philip Berlin 1816----- John Vance, Philip Berlin, JOhn Snider 1817----- Philip Berlin, John Snider, John Rudisil 1818----- John Snider, John Rudisil, Matthew Patton 1819----- John Rudisil, Matthew Patton, D. Washabaugh 1820----- Matthew Patton, D. Washabaugh, J. Stouffer 1821----- D. Washabaugh, J. Stouffer, William McKesson 1822----- J. Stouffer, William McKesson, John Snider 1823----- William McKesson, John SNider, Thomas Yeates 1824----- John Snider, Thomas Yeates, Jacob Heck 1825----- Thomas Yeates, Jacob Heck, A. Thompson 1826----- Jacob Heck, A. Thompson, John Davison 1827----- A. Thompson, John Davison, Thomas Yeates 1828----- John Davison, Thomas Yeates, JOhn Vance 1829----- THomas Yeates, John Vance, JOhn Coble 1830----- John Vance, JOhn Coble, Samuel Dechart 1831----- John Coble, Samuel Dechart, Nicholas Baker 1832----- Samuel Dechart, Nicholas Baker, James Davison 1833----- Nicholas Baker, James Davison, John Radebaugh 1834----- James Davison, John Radebaugh, John Orr 1835----- John Radebaugh, John Orr, Jacob Oyster 1836----- John Orr, Jacob Oyster, John Whitmore 1837----- Jacob Oyster, John Whitmore, William Linn 1838----- John Whitmore, William Linn, Samuel Campbell 1839----- William Linn, Samuel Campbell, Philip Nitterhouse 1840----- Samuel Campbell, Philip Nitterhouse, James Davison 1841----- Philip Nitterhouse, James Davison, Matthew Patton 1842----- James Davison, Matthew Patton, Upton Washabaugh 1843----- Matthew Patton, Upton Washabaugh, John Monn, Jr. 1844----- Upton Washabaugh, John Monn, Jr., Samuel Lehman 1845----- John Monn, Jr., Samuel Lehman, John S. Detwiler 1846----- Samuel Lehman, John S. Detwiler, Daniel Bonebrake 1847----- John L. Detwiler, Daniel Bonebrake, Fred. Boyar 1848----- Daniel Bonebrake, Fred. Boyar, John Wise 1849----- Fred. Boyer, John Wise, David Hays 1850----- John Wise, David Hays, S. Detwiler 1851----- David Hays, S. Detwiler, Jacob Garver 1852----- Samuel Lehman, Jacob Garver, Martin Newcomer 1853----- Jacob Garver, Martin Newcomer, D. O. Gehr 1854----- Martin Newcomer, D. O. Gehr, James Ferguson 1855----- D. O. Gehr, James Ferguson, Josiah Besore 1856----- James Ferguson, Josiah Besore, Jacob Weaver 1857----- Josiah Besore, Jacob Weaver, M. Gillan 1858----- Jacob Weaver, M. Gillan, Jacob Strickler 1859----- M. Gillan, Jacob Strickler, David Spencer 1860----- Jacob Strickler, David Spencer, J. S. Latshaw 1861----- David Spencer, J. S. Latshaw, William Harris 1862----- J. S. Latshaw, William Harris, Samuel Seacrist 1863----- William Harris, Samuel Seacrist, John Doebler 1864----- Samuel Seacrist, John Doebler, John H. Criswell 1865----- John H. Criswell, James H. Clayton, Martin Heintzelman 1866----- John H. Criswell, James H. Clayton, Martin Heintzelman 1867----- James H. Clayton, Martin Heintzelman, John Gillan, Jr. 1868-1869 Martin Heintzelman, John Gillan, Jr., J. R. Smith 1870----- John Gillan, John Smith, Fred. Long 1871----- J. R. Smith, Fred. Long, Peter McFerren 1872----- Fred Long, Peter McFerren, David Deatrick 1873----- Peter McFerren, David Deatrick, Jacob Kreider 1874----- David Deatrick, Jacob Kreider, Amos Stouffer 1875----- Jacob Kreider, Amos Stouffer, William Bossart 1876----- Amos Stouffer, William Bossart, Henry Lutz 1877----- William Bossart, Henry Lutz, B. F. Funk 1878----- Henry Lutz, B. F. Funk, Jacob Frick 1879----- B. F. Funk, Jacob Frick, John Lindsay 1880----- Jacob Frick, John Lindsay, Benjamin Lehman 1881----- John Lindsay, Benjamin Lehman, H. B. Angle 1882----- Benjamin Lehman, H. B. Angle, John E. Maclay 1883----- H. B. Angle, John E. Maclay, George W. Brindle 1884----- John E. Maclay, George W. Brindle, Charles A. Clark 1885----- George W. Brindle, Charles A. Clark, John A. Witherspoon 1886----- Charles A. Clark*, John A. Witherspoon, H. C. Funk** 1887----- John A. Witherspoon, John H. Crisswell, Levi D. C. Houser *Died and vacancy filled April 17 until January, 1886, by the appointment of LEVI D. C. HOUSER, who, at the November election, was elected for a full term of three years. **Died and vacancy filled July 17 by the appointment of JOHN H. CRISSWELL until January 1, 1886, who, at the November election, was elected for two years, Mr. FUNK's unexpired term. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- STEWARDS OF POOR-HOUSE 1808-1814 Daniel Shroeder 1854-1856 David Piper 1814-1821 Benjamin Gruver 1856-1859 William Shinafield 1821-1827 Richard Morrow 1859----- John Bowman 1827-1830 Philip Lauffman 1860-1864 James Chariton 1830-1833 Andrew McLellan 1864-1866 William McGrath 1833-1839 Colonel John Snider 1866-1868 John Ditzlear 1839----- David Fegley 1868----- David Piper 1840-1843 William J. Morrow 1869-1873 Samuel Brandt 1843-1845 Emanuel Crosland 1873-1884 Joseph Middouer 1845-1854 Samuel Jeffries 1884-1887 Augustus H. Etter ---------------------------------------------------------------------- TREASURERS OF POOR-HOUSE 1808-1814 David Denny 1839-1843 Daniel Dechert 1814-1821 Unknown 1843-1845 William Flory 1821-1823 William Heyser 1845-1848 Daniel S. Fahnestock 1823----- John Sloan 1848----- James Wright 1824-1827 Hugh Greenfield 1849-1856 D. S. Fahnestock 1827-1830 David Spangler 1856-1858 J. Smith Grier 1830-1832 Joseph Pritts 1858-1861 John W. Reed 1832-1835 Henry Smith 1861-1869 Charles Gelwicks 1835----- Jasper E. Brady 1869-1872 Alex. Martin 1836-1838 William Bard 1872----- Thomas Metcalfe 1838----- Henry Ruby 1873-1880 Hugh B. Davison* 1881-1887 S. Miller Shillito *Mr. Davison died, and on April 5, 1880, S. MILLER SHILLITO was elected to fill remainder of year. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CLERKS TO DIRECTORS OF POOR-HOUSE 1804-1814 Elijah B. Mendenhall 1831----- John Colhoun 1814----- F. Hershberger 1832----- James R. Kirby 1815----- Matthew Lind 1833-1835 John Smith 1816----- D. C. Dehart 1835-1837 John W. Reges 1817----- James McKay 1837-1840 Richard Morrow 1818-1821 Henry Reges 1840-1843 Jacob Heck 1821-1823 Daniel Spangler 1843-1845 Hugh B. Davison 1823-1827 Richard Morrow 1845-1848 Charles W. Heart 1827----- Hiram Cox 1848-1850 John w. Reges 1828-1831 William S. Davis ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ATTORNEYS AND CLERKS OF POOR-HOUSE 1851-1856 Lyman S. Clarke 1873-1876 James A. McKnight 1856-1859 J. Wyeth Douglass 1876-1877 Frank Mehaffey 1859-1862 Snively Strickler 1878----- John M. McDowell 1862-1866 William S. Everett 1879-1882 N. Bruce Martin 1866-1869 E. J. Bonebrake 1882-1885 Loren A. Culp 1869-1873 John R. Orr 1885-1887 J. F. Linn Harbaugh ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PHYSICIANS OF POOR-HOUSE 1808----- Abraham Senseny 1848-1849 N. B. Lane 1809-1814 John SLoan 1850-1852 John King 1815-1818 Andrew McDowell 1853----- John Lambert 1819-1820 George B. McKnight 1854----- A. H. Senseny 1821-1823 A. J. Dean 1855----- S. G. Lane 1824-1826 Samuel D. Culbertson 1856-1857 A. H. Senseny 1827----- Peter Fahnestock 1858----- W. H. Boyle 1828----- N. B. Lane 1859-1861 S. G. Lane 1829-1830 Andrew McDowell 1862-1863 James Hamilton 1831-1832 Jeremiah Senseny 1864-1865 J. L. Suesserott 1833----- D. S. Byrne 1866-1867 J. C. Richards 1834-1835 J. Bayne 1868----- C. L. Bard & 1836-1837 A. H. Senseny T. J. McLanahan 1838----- John Lambert 1869-1872 W. H. Boyle 1839-1841 J. Evans 1873-1875 T. J. McLanahan 1842-1843 J. C. Richards 1876-1877 Samuel G. Lane 1844----- William H. Boyle 1878-1881 T. J. McLanahan 1845-1847 John Lambert 1882-1885 Charles F. Palmer 1886-1887 John P. Seibert ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPLAINS OF POOR-HOUSE 1872-1878 Augustus Bickley 1879-1880 Philip Hamman 1881-1887 Augustus Bickley Mr. Bickley commenced holding religious service at the poor-house in 1836, and continued with few interruptions until 1872, when he was regularly elected chaplain, with a salary. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== DEPUTY SURVEYORS UNDER APPOINTMENT FROM THE SURVEYOR-GENERAL 1736----- Zachariah Butcher, Lancaster County 1743-1746 Thomas Cookson, Lancaster County 1750----- Colonel John Armstrong, Cumberland County 1784----- Matthew Henderson, of Cumberland County, to----- 1784-1796 Matthew Henderson, of Lurgan Township 1796-1804 Daniel Henderson 1804-1809 Thomas Kirby, Chambersburg 1809-1813 Thomas Poe, Antrim 1813-1821 Archiblad Fleming, Antrim 1821-1824 William S. Davis 1824-1829 William Hamilton, Peters or Montgomery 1830-1834 William S. Davis, Chambersburg 1834-1836 Seth Kline, Green 1837-1837 William S. Davis,Chambersburg 1837-1839 Samuel M. Armstrong 1839-1845 Hugh Auld, Chambersburg 1845-1847 Augustus F. Armstrong, Chambersburg 1847-1850 Hugh Auld, Chambersburg ====================================================================== COUNTY SURVEYORS By the act of the 9th of April, 1850, county surveyors were directed to be elected to serve for the term of three years each. The following persons have filled the office: 1850-1856 Emanuel Kuhn, St. Thomas 1859-1862 John B. Kaufman, Letterkenny 1862-1871 Emanuel Kuhn, Chambersburg* 1871-1875 John B. Kaufman, Letterkenny 1875-1878 John W. Kuhn, Peters 1878-1887 John B. Kaufman, Letterkenny (present incumbent). *Resigned April, 1871, and JOHN B. KAUFMAN was appointed for the unexpired term. MR. KAUFMAN was also elected for the full term in October, 1871. ====================================================================== PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS Prior to the passage of the act of 1850, providing for the election of district attorneys, the State's attorney or prosecuting attorneys were the deputies of the attorney-general for the time being, appointed by him, and removable at his pleasure. The court records prior to 1842 having been burned, it is not possible to make more than a partial list of the former prosecuting attorneys, as follows: 1789-1790 John Clark 1824----- Frederick Smith 1790-1802 William Brown 1842-1845 Wilson Reilly 1802-1812 William Maxwell, Gettysburg 1845-1847 William R. Rankin 1813----- William M. McDowell 1847-1849 George W. Brewer 1819----- Matthew St. Clair Clarke 1849-1851 Hugh W. Reynolds ====================================================================== DISTRICT ATTORNEYS Elected under the act of 3d of May, 1850, to serve three years, from first Monday in November after election. 1851-1854 James S. Ross 1872-1875 Theodore McGowan 1854-1857 {Thomas B. Kennedy 1875-1878 Oliver C. Bowers {Lyman S. Clarke 1878-1881 Oliver C. Bowers 1857-1860 Lyman S. Clarke 1881-1884 Chas. A. Suesserott 1860-1863 George Eyster 1884-1887 W. J. Zacharias 1863-1872 William S. Stenger 1887----- Hiram J. Plough ====================================================================== JURY COMMISSIONERS Elected under the act of 10th of April, 1867, to serve for three years. 1867-1870 Addison Imbrie, William Boyd 1870-1873 W. H. H. Mackey, Elias Patton 1873-1876 John Gilbert, A. H. Etter 1876-1879 J. C. McCulloh, Lewis Lecron 1883----- George S. Coover, David M. Lowry 1886----- John E. Harvey, L. H. Henkell ====================================================================== COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF COMMON SCHOOLS Selected under act of May 8, 1854, to serve for three years. 1854-1857 James McDowell, Hugh J. Campbell 1857-1863 Philip M. Shoemaker 1863-1866 Andrew J. McElwain 1866-1869 Philip M. Shoemaker 1869-1872 Samuel Gelwix 1872-1875 Jacob S. Smith 1875-1881 S. H. Eby 1881-1887 Harry A. Disert ======================================================================